Open New Possibilities in Education and Your Career

Time after time, technology expands what’s possible. At Nova Southeastern University, those possibilities will direct you to a successful career.

Powered by a Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology and Distance Education, you can use your tech talents to foster effective learning results in schools, corporations or public sector agencies. Get an edge with a degree that uniquely merges two fields into one comprehensive career program.

Our graduates have become instructional technologists, educational software consultants, and directors of educational technology, training and development, or distance learning. Now is your chance to follow their lead and, just like technology, continue to evolve.

Two Capstone Options for Completing Your Education

NSU’s Ed.D. program offers two capstone options for completing your education: the Applied Dissertation or the Strategic Research Project (SRP). Both choices are designed to help you formulate tough questions and learn how to begin answering them as you prepare for educational leadership. You must successfully complete one of these capstones in order to graduate.

Who Should Apply

  • Practicing professionals with backgrounds in teaching or administration, training and professional development, media technology, instructional technology, curriculum development, staff development or distance education.
  • Master’s degree graduates or above who seek a doctoral degree and increased knowledge/skills in instructional technology and distance education.
  • Candidates considering a Ph.D. in instructional technology who are interested in exploring the benefits of an Ed.D. in instructional technology program.

Quick Facts

Tuition

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Curriculum

NSU’s Ed.D. in Instructional Technology & Distance Education is a minimum of 55 total credits to complete.

Delivery Options

Classes for the Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology and Distance Education are offered fully online. All doctoral students are required to participate in at least one Summer Institute.

Application Deadlines

Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis for all graduate programs throughout the calendar year. No entrance exam required.

Earning Potential

Training and Development Managers

$115,640 Median Salary Per Year

7% Projected Employment Growth

Instructional Coordinators

$66,970 Median Salary Per Year

10% Projected Employment Growth

Postsecondary Education Administrators

$97,500 Median Salary Per Year

8% Projected Employment Growth

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020

Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education Curriculum

Concentration Area Courses (18 credits)
Credits
IDT 7000
Research in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT 7000 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 7005
Instructional Media (IDT 7005 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 7007
Principles of Distance Education (IDT 7007 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8001
Instructional Design (IDT 8001 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8006
Systems Analysis and Design (IDT 8006 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8008
Principles of Instructional Technology (IDT 8008 / Credits: 3 )
3
Concentration Elective Courses (9 credits)
Credits
IDT 7123
Digital Media for Instructional Technology and Distance Education (IDT 7123 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8012
Management and Evaluation of ITDE Programs* (IDT 8012 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8119
Contemporary Topics in ITDE (IDT 8119 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8120
Perspectives in ITDE (IDT 8120 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8121
Advanced Instructional Design (IDT 8121 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8122
Professional Practice in ITDE (IDT 8122 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8123
Advanced Applications in ITDE (IDT 8123 / Credits: 3 )
3
IDT 8124
Theories of Learning (IDT 8124 / Credits: 3 )
3
Summer Institute (1 credit)**
Credits
FSC 8000
Summer Institute (FSC 8000 / Credits: 1 )
1
Applied Dissertation or Strategic Research Project (12 credits)***
Credits
DISR 8966
Applied Dissertation 1: Prospectus (DISR 8966 / Credits: 3 )
3
DISR 8967
Applied Dissertation 2: Proposal Development (DISR 8967 / Credits: 3 )
3
DISR 8968
Applied Dissertation 3: Proposal (DISR 8968 / Credits: 3 )
3
DISR 8969
Applied Dissertation 4: Applied Dissertation (DISR 8969 / Credits: 3 )
3
ESRP 9000
Strategic Research Project I (ESRP 9000 / Credits: 6 )
6
ESRP 9001
Strategic Research Project II (ESRP 9001 / Credits: 6 )
6
Required Courses (9 credits)
Credits
EDD 8100
Academic Writing (EDD 8100 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8100
The Nature of Knowing: Introduction to Research Methods (RES 8100 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8200
Research Methods II (RES 8200 / Credits: 3 )
3
Quantitative Research Track (6 credits)****
Credits
RES 8911
Quantitative Research Design (RES 8911 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8921
Quantitative Data Analysis (RES 8921 / Credits: 3 )
3
Qualitative Research Track (6 credits)****
Credits
RES 8916
Qualitative Research Design (RES 8916 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8926
Qualitative Data Analysis (RES 8926 / Credits: 3 )
3
Research Track for those completing the Strategic Research Project (6 credits)
Credits
RES 8910
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods (RES 8910 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8924
Data Visualization for Strategic Planning (RES 8924 / Credits: 3 )
3

*Not required for ITDE concentration—Replaced with concentration elective

**Doctoral students are required to attend at least one Summer Institute as part of required coursework. During each day of the institute, students will attend sessions where they will learn valuable skills to help them be successful in the program. There will also be sessions offered specifically to assist with the understanding and completion of the culminating capstone option (applied dissertation or strategic research project) that all students are required to complete. The sessions offer a unique blend of direct instruction and time for students to ask questions and connect with NSU faculty and engage with fellow students. The overall goal of the institute is to immerse students in a learning experience that will provide students with the information and tools needed to be a successful Ed.D. student. For additional information, please visit the website at http://education.nova.edu/summer/

***Students who complete all of their coursework and have registered for all of their dissertation benchmark courses (prospectus, proposal development, proposal, and applied dissertation) within the first three years will be required to register for ADS 8090 - Applied Dissertation Services I in order to receive dissertation services from their committee. Beginning with the fourth year (37th month/10th semester) following initial enrollment, and irrespective of remaining coursework, doctoral students are required to register for ADS 8091 - Applied Dissertation Services II, up to the point of degree completion, in order to receive dissertation services from their committee. Credits earned from ADS 8090 or ADS 8091 do not count toward the minimum credit hour requirement for the Ed.D. degree.

****For students completing the Applied Dissertation, you will select either the Quantitative Research Track or the Qualitative Research Track. 

Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education Professional Licensure Disclosure

Admission Requirements

Ready for the Next Step?

We’re thrilled you’re applying to this Ed.D. program at NSU.

This program opens opportunities in areas of research, academia, and management for those who are ready to advance as well as for individuals considering a career change.

Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis. No entrance exam is required. 

 

Apply Now

Have the following items ready to submit with your online application:

 

  • $50 application fee
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Two professional letters of recommendation by two different individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability to succeed in a doctoral program

 

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